Penguins' Kuzmenko takes leave after father killed by bear

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko is taking a leave of absence from the team following the death of his father, Alexander, the team said Thursday.

Kuzmenko, 30, was with the Penguins for their practice earlier in the day before departing for Russia.

Russian news outlet Ren.tv. reported that Alexander, 62, was killed by a bear during a fishing trip Tuesday. He was in the Tuva Republic, in southern Siberia, and suffered extensive tissue damage after being bitten in the head by the animal that emerged from a nearby wooded area.

The report went on to say that Alexander -- a highly regarded hockey coach in Russia -- was accompanied by six others on the trip, and that they were able to scare the bear off before attempting to get Alexander assistance. The dense forest didn't allow ambulances to easily reach the group, however, and it was hours before one was able to find it. Alexander was airlifted to a hospital in Tuva Republic's capital, Kyzyl, but medical interventions were unsuccessful and he was later pronounced dead.

"The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko's father, Alexander," general manager Kyle Dubas said in a statement. "Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the Kuzmenko family and their loved ones as they grieve the loss of Alexander. We ask that the privacy of Andrei and the Kuzmenko family be respected at this time.

"Andrei chose to be surrounded by his teammates and practice with the team this morning before returning to Moscow to be with his family this afternoon. Andrei and the Kuzmenko family have the full support of the Penguins organization during this time."

Penguins coach Dan Muse also shared his sympathies over the loss and further echoed Dubas' pledge of support.

"Myself and the whole organization, just our deepest condolences on Andrei Kuzmenko and just the passing of his father," Muse said. "It's obviously just terrible news that we heard this morning. 'Kuzy' wanted to skate with the team [today]. He wanted to be with his teammates. That's why he was out there. He'll be traveling back to Russia. But just our deepest condolences, sympathies, deepest condolences for Andrei and his family."

Kuzmenko signed a one-year, $5 million contract with Pittsburgh in July and is entering his fifth NHL season. He has 85 goals and 182 points in 271 career games spent between the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.